Potential

Maybe I was just spoiled. Maybe the fact that I grew up in a notoriously wealthy community (although I was raised in a single-parent, middle-class family) and was sent to private schools where we, as students, were held to high standards of intelligence, community interaction and involvement, leadership, communication skills, and the ability to question the world around us set us apart from the majority of the country.

Granted, I am young, and have much to learn, see and do, but in the 7 years since I have left home to live on my own, I have lived in a small mountain town in the middle of the country as well as one of the largest metropolitan cities in the U.S., and I have traveled in 5 countries, one of which was a third-world subcontinent. One common strand of truth I have come to find in my minute and relatively insignificant experiences post-bubble is that everywhere I have gone, I have ceaselessly encountered people who have humbled me with their wisdom, baffled me with their perception of the world around them and beyond, and brought me to my knees with the realization of how much I have yet to learn about life and this crazy mess of humanity in which we are all intimately intertwined.

What's my point?

My point is that, contrary to common belief (and admittedly my own cynicism), people aren't stupid. One could travel halfway around the world, or walk to their local coffee shop, and the chances of meeting somebody who will completely alter your views of truth, reality, love, justice, humility, knowledge or wisdom are equally great.

So why, then, does our country...the United Fucking States of America...the alleged leaders of the Free World (whatever that means)...continue to elect STUPID people as our leaders?? It absolutely baffles me.

When I watched Governor Palin speak in her oh-so-exclusive interview with Katie Couric, I was not only insulted by her complete inability to answer a simple question...or by her characteristically Republican manner of defaulting to one parachute phrase when faced with a challenging question ("...did I mention people call him 'Maverick?'...), but I was genuinely confused. How is it possible that this woman is even being considered to help rule the United States of America??

When asked to explain her experience with foreign policy (even though she was just issued a passport for the first time in her entire life a year ago) her response was that Alaska borders Russia and Canada..."two foreign countries!!" Oh ya...that and the fact that foreign aircrafts fly over Alaska (which, first of all, isn't even true). ...Seriously?? SERIOUSLY????

Have the American people become calloused to the incompetence and blatant lack of intelligence that has embodied our leadership for the past 8 years? Have we lowered our standards by default, or have we just lost hope in the idea of dependable leaders?

A leader is supposed to be someone who inspires us to reach higher, to strive for greatness, to believe in our ability as individuals and as a nation to be extraordinary. A leader is someone with the patience and insight to be able to observe and admit the mistakes we have made as a country and a human race, and who ACTS, not TALKS, about making positive progress and necessary changes in the way we impact one another and the world around us. A leader is someone with the grace to rise above self-interest, and with the integrity to make decisions for the good of the whole. Most importantly, a leader is someone who makes all of these seemingly romanticized and idealistic values of which I speak a reality and not a joke.

We, as human beings, have dumbfounding potential. Our race (and by that I mean the human race) has the ability to singlehandedly create a world that nurtures and embodies everything that we need and desire. We have the ability to create balance among ourselves and with the delicate world in which we live. We have the ability to make wise decisions, to see beyond ourselves and our own limited experiences and beliefs, and to coexist with one another despite our differences. It might sound far-fetched, but the reality is, WE HAVE THE ABILITY!!!!!

Why, then, do we settle for the bottom of the heap? What is it that is standing in our way of allowing progress to happen? Is it the overwhelming fear that the current administration - along with their media puppets - have injected into the hearts and minds of all Americans so that they can create an illusion of being our knights in shining armor who save us from the evil terrorists....or imminent economic depression (which THEY have caused)...?? Are we really so blind that we can't see through that??? Have we become so immune to the Federal Government's sticky fingers from dipping their hands in foreign oil investments for the sake of keeping the rich rich and the poor...well...disregarded....that we have actually come to ACCEPT this??

Seriously, people. The jig is fucking up! We need CHANGE!!!!!!!!!!!

It's no longer about partisan identity. It's about character. Throughout this election process we have witnessed the routine, run-of-the-mill political drama unfold. It hasn't just been the Republicans. Hillary did it too. The finger-pointing, the hearsay, the gloves raised and the guns blazing throughout the typical showdown. But one candidate has remained steadfast, calm, collected, present, aware, humble, and honest throughout the ENTIRE campaign. When Obama was bashed for his involvement with Rev. Wright after his publicized racist remarks, Obama did not falter. He absorbed the responsibility, acknowledged and stood by his previous relationship with the Reverend, and instead of throwing a left hook out of defense, or taking the opportunity to play the "I'm black" card, he spoke about how the issue of racism spurred by this event applies to the American people. He took a personal attack and used it as an opportunity to speak to the needs and well-being of the entire nation, while still accepting all necessary responsibility.

When McCain tried to pull a typical Republican hero move by claiming valiantly that he was going to suspend his campaign in order to address the economic crisis at hand (while simultaneously completely shifting his historical views on regulation), Obama responded by saying that a leader must be able to juggle multiple taks as they arise. While the nation watched as McCain's risky stunt landed him flat on his face, Obama has remained steadfast.

I am anxious and hopeful that tonight's debates will reveal even more clarity to the American people that Obama and Biden greatly outshine the dull and tired Republican team that has, unfortunately, carried on the torch of bullshit that their predecessors have kept burning for the past 8 years.

To register to vote, visit www.voteforchange.com

Definition of a Republican

It is my belief that, in Webster's Dictionary of the English Language, there should be an amendment under the definition of "Republican (n)" to read: one skilled at the art of being asked the same question repeatedly and never managing to answer it.



Seriously?? What are these Republicans putting in their bran flakes?